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Asylum Seekers due to arrive at RAF base at the end of the month – MP says he is “outraged”

Tue 17 May

Linton-On-Ouse

Tue 17 May 2022  @ 4:12pm
David Dunning
News

The first 60 asylum seekers will move into RAF Linton-on-Ouse, north of York, in just two weeks time.

Thirsk and Malton Conservative MP Kevin Hollinrake said he had been told today by Home Office officials that they would arrive on May 31.

It comes as villagers prepare to stage a demonstration before a parish council meeting on Thursday evening.

A range of facilities promised at the reception centre, such as a gym, cinema and library, won’t be ready by then

He says he is absolutely outraged and had raised his feelings with Boris Johnson

Conservative MP @kevinhollinrake says he was told last week it would be 4-6 weeks before asylum seekers were moved into the base at Linton, but it's now down to 2 weeks; full facilities are not in place and he is "devastated" pic.twitter.com/kGrtxFonqs

— Tom Sheldrick (@TomSheldrickITV) May 17, 2022

He told ITV Tyne Tees: “So asylum seekers on site on the 31st of May, which is absolutely devastating. I’m so angry about it.

“We were told only last week it would be four to six weeks. We were also told that the proper facilities will be put in place.

“So a cinema on site, a library, a gym, proper catering facilities, proper policing plan, CCTV and a look at the access so it wouldn’t come right in the centre of the village.

“None of those have been put in place, and not even properly considered.

“I’m absolutely outraged by it. As a consequence, I’ve spoken to the prime minister to say this can’t go ahead.

He says the plans must be put on hold until those facilities are in place.

But ideally he wants a complete reconsideration of the idea.

“These plans are simply the wrong plans in the wrong place.” He added.

Ministers have insisted the centre would “provide safe and self-sufficient accommodation”.

They say the centre, where Prince William trained as pilot, would help end the Home Office’s reliance on expensive hotels which are costing the taxpayer £4.7million a day.

[tptn_list limit=3 daily=1 hour_range=1]

Hambleton Council HQ in Northallerton. One of the councils that will be abolished

Cllr Mark Robson, Leader of Hambleton District Council said:

“As Leader of this council I am in no doubt about how much worry and concern there is in the local community and the surrounding areas about the Government’s proposal for a centre for asylum seekers in Linton-on-Ouse, and I want to take this opportunity to offer some reassurance and an update.

“I know people are understandably concerned and want answers as quickly as possible, and I want to be clear that we are working to get these answers as quickly as we possibly can, given the legal process which is underway.

“Under delegated authority, the Chief Executive for Hambleton District Council has appointed a legal team to provide legal advice and to identify a QC. At this point in time, we are awaiting this urgent legal advice, and we anticipate this imminently.

“HDC Officers and Members are in constant and robust dialogue with the Home Office and a letter has been sent and acknowledged. There was also a meeting last Thursday where the issues and concerns were discussed. We anticipate a response to this letter and subsequent meeting, from the Home Office this week.

“At a meeting late this morning, we, along with the PFCC and local MP have been told by the Home Office that they intend for 60 people to arrive at the centre at the end of this month. We have in the strongest possible terms asked that the Home Office pause this proposal immediately to allow for consultation to be carried out and are awaiting their response to this ask.

“Officers and Members continue to take part in multi-agency meetings and support and work closely with the local community and surrounding areas.

“Although frustrating and concerning, It’s very important that anything we do now doesn’t prejudice the outcome of the legal process.

“We fully appreciate the worries and frustrations around this and want to reiterate that we are taking every action we can as quickly as the legal process allows. Please be assured we are pushing for the legal advice and subsequent ongoing process to get underway and will continue to be in dialogue with the Home Office.

“We are committed to keeping everyone up to date and to ensuring our updates are transparent and timely as we go through this process.”


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